How to Temporarily Attach Crochet Pieces | Video Tutorial
Learn how to temporarily attach crochet pieces to a wreath with three easy, removable methods that make your Dragon Wreath Flair fully interchangeable for every occasion and season.
One of the best things about the Dragon Wreath Flair system is being able to swap accessories, seasonal details, and embellishments without making permanent changes to your dragon. Whether you’re adding hats, scarves, butterfly wings, tails, or tiny themed accessories, choosing the right temporary attachment method keeps your wreath secure while still making seasonal changes easy.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through my three favorite removable crochet attachment methods: T-pins, safety pins, and my favorite—the temporary whip stitch.
In This Attachment Guide:
- Best temporary way to attach crochet pieces to a wreath
- Using T-pins for removable crochet attachments
- Using safety pins for crochet embellishments
- Temporary whip stitch method (video tutorial)
- Which Method Should I Use?
- FAQ
- Dragon Wreath Flair patterns to try
What is the best way to temporarily attach crochet pieces to a wreath?
The best way to temporarily attach crochet pieces to a wreath depends on the item. T-pins work well for lightweight accessories that can anchor into foam wreaths, safety pins are best for pieces that need to resist gravity, and a temporary whip stitch works best for flush attachments or pieces attached directly to plush crochet sections.
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1. T-Pins for Temporary Crochet Attachments
T-pins (sometimes called ‘wig pins’) are one of the easiest ways to temporarily attach crochet embellishments to your Dragon Wreath Flair, especially when you can anchor directly into the foam wreath form.
Because T-pins are long and sturdy, they work well for lightweight accessories like hats, ears, wings, or decorative accents that need to stay in place and are on top or on the side of a plush piece.
Best uses for T-pins
- Attaching hats to plush dragon heads
- Holding ears in place
- Anchoring even large accessories into the foam core of wreaths
- Side-facing or downward-facing attachments (when gravity is on your side!)
- Quick seasonal swaps
Pro Tip: Store a few T-pins in the backside of your wreath, stuck into the foam body. I regularly have a few spare pins in the back of the wreath, so I always have extras for the next seasonal Flair swap!
Why I like them
- Easy and strong when inserted into foam wreath forms
- Small narrow heads hide easily under stitches
- T-shape makes removal easier
- Fastest attachment method (by far!)
- Reusable
- Great for testing placement before permanent positioning
Downsides
- Can snag yarn because of the shape
- Sometimes disappear into stitches
- Not ideal for upside-down attachments
- Gravity can slowly pull them loose if not anchored in foam
Supplies
T-pins (affiliate link) is all you need!
Well, and your Dragon Wreath…
2. Safety Pins for Gravity-Defying Attachments
Safety pins are my go-to when I need an attachment to stay put against gravity.
If you’re attaching something like a scarf, beard, hanging embellishment, or any piece attached directly to the plush dragon (or his tail) rather than the wreath form, safety pins often hold better than T-pins.
Best uses for safety pins
- Scarves and beards
- Hanging accessories
- Pieces attached directly to plush crochet sections
- Attachments that pull downward
- Attachments where you can easily reach the back of the wreath (wings and tail)
Why they work well
- Secure closure prevents slipping
- Hidden easily on the back side
- Readily available
- Strong hold for lightweight to moderate pieces
Pro Tip! Use multiple safety pins—not just one. One pin lets the piece swing and sag, and we don’t want that.
Downsides
- Bulkier than T-pins
- Can create a visible gap between the Flair and the dragon
- Harder to hide in delicate details
- Less ideal for flush attachments
Supplies
- Safety pins (affiliate link)
3. Temporary Whip Stitch (My Favorite Method)
If I need something secure, flush, and attached directly to crochet or plush—not foam—this is the method I use.
A temporary whip stitch is a removable sewn attachment. Instead of permanently sewing the piece in place, you use a few large stitches and tie the yarn ends into a removable bow.
It takes a little longer, but it gives the cleanest finished look.
Best uses
- Tail embellishments
- Decorative pieces that should look like they are natural dragon parts (like fins, scales, etc.)
- Accessories attached directly to plush (not near foam)
- Heavier crochet embellishments
- Pieces pins won’t hold well
Why I love this method
- Most secure removable option
- Keeps pieces flush to the surface
- No bulky visible hardware
- Fully removable
- Works where pins fail
- Great for awkwardly shaped pieces
How to temporary whip stitch crochet pieces
- Start at the center back of the dragon where you wish to attach the embellishment.
- Leave a yarn tail.
- Sew large whip stitches between the wreath and the embellishment.
- Catch as little stuffing as possible.
- Use wide stitches rather than tiny tight ones. 4–5 stitches is usually enough.
- Slowly circle back to your starting point.
- Bring the yarn tail out through the same stitch where it entered when you began.
- Tie the yarn ends (now coming out of the same stitch) into a small bow and trim excess yarn.
- When removed, untie the bow and gently pull out the stitches (using the blunt side of a tapestry needle helps).
Temporary Whip STitch Video tutorial
Watch the temporary whip stitch method here: https://youtu.be/RBzZMks1B5I
Downsides
- Removal requires a little care
- Takes longer
- Often easier with wreath removed from the wall or door
- Can snag stuffing when the stitches are removed.
Which temporary crochet attachment method should you use?
| Method | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-pins | Foam attachments, hats, ears | Fast, hidden, reusable | Can slip with gravity |
| Safety pins | Hanging pieces, scarves, beards | Strong hold, secure closure | Bulkier |
| Temporary whip stitch | Flush/heavier attachments | Cleanest look, most secure | Slower |
FAQ
Q: How do you temporarily attach crochet pieces to a wreath?
A. You can temporarily attach crochet pieces to a wreath using T-pins, safety pins, or removable stitching. The best method depends on the weight of the piece and whether it attaches to foam or crochet fabric.
Q. What is the best removable way to attach crochet decorations?
A. It really depends on the pieces you wish to attach. For lightweight decorations, T-pins work well. For hanging pieces, safety pins are better. For secure complex attachments, a temporary whip stitch is often the best removable method. There isn’t one set method I would recommend for all embellishments.
Q. Can you attach crochet pieces without sewing them permanently?
A. Yes. Temporary attachment methods like pins or removable stitching allow you to change seasonal crochet decorations without damaging your project.
Q. How do I make crochet pieces sit flush against the wreath?
A. The best way to make crochet pieces sit flush against a wreath is to use a temporary whip stitch instead of pins. Pins can create gaps because the hardware sits between the embellishment and the wreath, while a few loose removable stitches pull the piece snugly into place.
Q. How do you attach crochet embellishments to plush amigurumi?
A. Safety pins or temporary whip stitches usually work best, depending on the weight and placement of the embellishment. Straight pins have nothing to stick into inside a stuffed animal, so they rarely hold for long. You need to use a method that attaches yarn to yarn instead.
Build Your Dragon Wreath Collection
Love interchangeable seasonal crochet decor? Browse all Dragon Wreath Flair patterns here.
Kati is a crochet pattern designer, dragon obsessive, and certified geek who has been turning yarn into fantasy creatures since 2016. Her patterns lean heavily toward dragons, fantasy beasts, and whatever her brain decides is a good idea at 2am. She is proudly anti-AI crochet and very pro-finishing-your-WIPs (she’s working on it). When she’s not crocheting something with too many horns, she’s probably watching something nerdy or playing dog agility with her two American Hairless Terriers. Want to work together or just say hi? Contact her here.